Tournament tuneup / Ashland Bombers use Sunday's doubleheader to get ready for postseason

Dusty SloanPublished: July 10, 2006 12:00AM

By DUSTY SLOAN
T-G Sports Editor
John Schaly, coach of the 13-under Ashland Bombers youth baseball traveling team, had seen Sundays scenario many a time.
Schaly, better known as Ashland Universitys baseball coach, knew Sundays home doubleheader against Hudson had no bearing on the league tournament which starts Tuesday, because the seeds already had been determined.
So did Schalys philosophy on how to play the game change Sunday? Nope.
We want our kids to learn, and use every game to gain the experience and try to learn the game, said Schaly. Theyre at that age now where theyre trying to learn the game.
And the Bombers, who lost the first game to Hudson 15-3 in five innings, learned enough from that game to make the nightcap more competitive. The Bombers lost the second game, 4-3, and were ahead until the bottom of the fourth inning.
We got to threw a few different guys today, and kind of get everybody ready for the (league) tournament, Schaly said.
In the second game, the Bombers had five hits one each from Evan Dix (home run), Brandon Nalley (home run), Stevie Thomas (single), Josh Kelley (single) and Marcus Fuller (single). Both Kelley (four innings, one strikeout) and Dix (two innings, three strikeouts) combined to keep Hudson to six hits.
In the first game, the Bombers got hits from Adam Schaly (two singles, double), Dix (home run), Jacob Dixon (single), Kelley (single) and Greg Gallaway (single).
The 13-under Bombers will begin league single-elimination tournament play Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Brookside West No. 2 against Revere. Ashland is the No. 3 seed.
I think its been a good year, Schaly said. We had no idea what to expect going into this league (Cuyahoga Valley Baseball Association) for the first time, but its been a real good season. The kids have learned a lot. Our guys have played well against good competition.
And, Schaly admitted coaching a 13-under team is a little different than coaching a Division II college squad.
It takes a little bit more patience, Schaly said, but its fun working with them. Its a good group. Theyve learned a lot, and thats our goal.
n Contact Dusty Sloan, sports editor, at 419-281-0581, ext. 244, or dsloan@times-gazette.com.